The Code 3 method
Familiar words, shared attention, and short moments of play. Start small and follow your child’s curiosity.
See it. Hear it. Connect it.
Show CUP, say “cup,” and hold a real cup. Written words become meaningful when they connect to something your child knows.
Connection before performance
Offer the word instead of asking for a correct answer. A warm voice, shared attention, and a playful mood keep the experience welcoming.
Let your child set the pace
Invite, don’t insist. Stop when interest fades and return another day. Word recognition is one part of reading; sounds, vocabulary, and shared stories matter too.
Your first reading game
- 01
Choose familiar words: MOM, CUP, and TREE. Write each in large, clear uppercase letters on a card.
- 02
Say a word warmly and connect it to a person, object, or picture. Let your child point, move, or simply watch.
- 03
Finish while it still feels fun. Share a smile, put the cards away, and keep reading stories together.
Morning · Notice a word
At breakfast, show CUP beside a real cup. Say it naturally and get on with your day.
Afternoon · Make it move
Pull a toy from a bag and find its word card. Add a sound or a silly movement.
Evening · Share a story
Read a favorite picture book together. Notice one familiar word without turning it into a quiz.
Every child develops differently. There is no deadline to read and no guaranteed outcome. These activities complement shared reading and age-appropriate literacy instruction; they don’t replace professional advice.